A mother is having trisomy-18 and BMI >30. She has gestational diabetes and smoker. Which one of the following is non-modifiable factor?

1. A

   Obesity

2. B

   Trisomy-18

3. C

   Smoking

4. D

   Gestational diabetes

Appeared in: NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Explanation

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• Trisomy-18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 18.
• Genetic factors are inherent biological traits that an individual is born with and cannot be changed or altered through lifestyle modifications or medical treatment.
• Therefore, Trisomy-18 is a classic example of a non-modifiable risk factor.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Obesity (defined here as BMI >30) is considered a modifiable risk factor because an individual can lose weight through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle interventions.
• Option C: Smoking is a behavioral choice. It is a classic modifiable risk factor because a person can make the decision to quit smoking, thereby eliminating the risk.
• Option D: Gestational diabetes is a condition that develops during pregnancy. Its impact and progression are considered modifiable because it can be managed and controlled with diet, exercise, and medication.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Infographic: A two-column chart clearly separating Modifiable Risk Factors (e.g., diet, smoking, activity level, obesity) from Non-Modifiable Risk Factors (e.g., age, genetics, family history, sex).

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Distinguishing between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in a clinical context as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Identifying non-modifiable risks is crucial for risk stratification and determining the need for specialized care, such as genetic counseling and advanced fetal screening for a patient with Trisomy-18.
• Focusing on modifiable risks is the cornerstone of patient education and preventative nursing care. It empowers patients to take an active role in improving their health outcomes and reducing complications.
• A nurse's role includes assessing both types of risk factors and developing a care plan that addresses the manageable aspects while being mindful of the unchangeable ones.

How to Approach the Question

• First, understand the core definition of a 'non-modifiable' risk factor: a condition or characteristic that cannot be changed, such as genetics, age, or ethnicity.
• Next, evaluate each option against this definition.
• Analyze 'Obesity': Can a person's weight be changed? Yes. Therefore, it is modifiable.
• Analyze 'Trisomy-18': Is this a genetic condition? Yes. Can a person's genetic makeup be changed? No. This is a strong candidate for a non-modifiable factor.
• Analyze 'Smoking': Is this a behavior? Yes. Can a person stop this behavior? Yes. Therefore, it is modifiable.
• Analyze 'Gestational diabetes': Is this a condition that can be managed or controlled with treatment? Yes. Therefore, its impact is modifiable.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Distinguishing between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in a clinical context.
• Stem keywords: trisomy-18, BMI >30, gestational diabetes, smoker, non-modifiable factor
• Lead-in keywords: Which one
• Negative lead-in flag: false

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